Best music in 2025: Irish Times critics choose the albums and acts of the year
From CMAT to Chappell Roan, and Maria Somerville to Rosalía, women have ruled the industry this year
Julie Dawson
NewDad: Altar review – Irish rock’s godfathers of glum reign supreme on brilliant second album
Julie Dawson’s dolorous voice is the magic ingredient, as it was on Madra, the Galway band’s debut long-player
NewDad at Electric Picnic 2024: A little bit of indie heaven comes to Stradbally
The Galway band alchemise their alternative-rock influences into a fresh, unique sound in their first Stradbally set
NewDad: Madra – Galway shoegaze revivalists are soft as silk yet have the crunch of a bear trap
Their cross-generational appeal is as broad as it is long, and within that demographic lies potential success
NewDad: ‘Suddenly we were playing sold-out shows and people were singing our music back to us’
The young Galway alt-rockers have come a long way since they got together to avoid having to perform solo for their Leaving Cert music exams
Europe’s rail renaissance hoping to leave red tape behind
Climate concerns and more overnight travel have boosted passenger numbers but standardising railway systems is still tricky
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices